Call to lift Zim sanctions

THE presidents of Angola and Namibia have called on Western countries to lift economic sanctions against Zimbabwe, saying they are causing hardship in that country.

In a joint communiqué issued on Friday after a two-day state visit of Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos, he and President Hifikepunye Pohamba stated that they were concerned over the economic sanctions “and other harsh measures imposed on Zimbabwe, which are causing socio-economic hardships to the people of Zimbabwe”. “We call for the immediate lifting of these sanctions as they are illegal and unjustifiable,” Pohamba and Dos Santos stated.The two Presidents exchanged views on the economic and political developments in the southern African region, especially on Zimbabwe.They were appreciative of the role played by South Africa, as appointed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC).President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, who arrives in Namibia this week on a state visit, was appointed to mediate between the ruling Zanu-PF party in Zimbabwe and the opposition MDC.It is the second time President Pohamba has called for the lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe.During his state visit to Japan in the middle of this month, he made a similar statement in Tokyo.In the communiqué, Pohamba and Dos Santos reaffirmed the progress made in strengthening the bilateral cooperation between their two countries as they discussed agriculture, trade and investment, infrastructure projects like energy and water, the railway network, immigration and citizenship, public security and law and order.Eleven agreements were signed during the state visit.President Dos Santos briefed his Namibian counterpart on the ongoing socio-economic development and reconstruction in Angola, and the successful first stage of voter registration for the forthcoming national elections.President Pohamba, in turn, briefed Dos Santos on political and economic developments in Namibia, including the International Investors Conference to be held in Windhoek this week.Pohamba invited Angolan businesspeople to attend the conference.”We call for the immediate lifting of these sanctions as they are illegal and unjustifiable,” Pohamba and Dos Santos stated.The two Presidents exchanged views on the economic and political developments in the southern African region, especially on Zimbabwe.They were appreciative of the role played by South Africa, as appointed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC).President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, who arrives in Namibia this week on a state visit, was appointed to mediate between the ruling Zanu-PF party in Zimbabwe and the opposition MDC.It is the second time President Pohamba has called for the lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe.During his state visit to Japan in the middle of this month, he made a similar statement in Tokyo.In the communiqué, Pohamba and Dos Santos reaffirmed the progress made in strengthening the bilateral cooperation between their two countries as they discussed agriculture, trade and investment, infrastructure projects like energy and water, the railway network, immigration and citizenship, public security and law and order.Eleven agreements were signed during the state visit.President Dos Santos briefed his Namibian counterpart on the ongoing socio-economic development and reconstruction in Angola, and the successful first stage of voter registration for the forthcoming national elections.President Pohamba, in turn, briefed Dos Santos on political and economic developments in Namibia, including the International Investors Conference to be held in Windhoek this week.Pohamba invited Angolan businesspeople to attend the conference.